Saturday, October 02, 2010

Anglican Chant VI: Lincoln Cathedral, "Psalm 104 - Praise the Lord, o My Soul"



One of the loveliest of Psalms, from the Coverdale (BCP 1662) Psalter. The composer isn't listed, unfortunately. [EDIT: According to a commenter, Sir Watkin, this chant is by William Crotch. See comments.]

Psalm 104

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul *
O Lord my God, thou art become exceeding glorious; thou art clothed with majesty and honour.
2 Thou deckest thyself with light as it were with a garment *
and spreadest out the heavens like a curtain.
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters *
and maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind.
4 He maketh his angels spirits *
and his ministers a flaming fire.

5 He laid the foundations of the earth *
that it never should move at any time.
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep like as with a garment *
the waters stand in the hills.
7 At thy rebuke they flee *
at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
8 They go up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath *
even unto the place which thou hast appointed for them.

9 Thou hast set them their bounds which they shall not pass *
neither turn again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth the springs into the rivers *
which run among the hills.
11 All beasts of the field drink thereof *
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 Beside them shall the fowls of the air have their habitation *
and sing among the branches.

13 He watereth the hills from above *
the earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
14 He bringeth forth grass for the cattle *
and green herb for the service of men;
15 That he may bring food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man *
and oil to make him a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen man’s heart.
16 The trees of the Lord also are full of sap *
even the cedars of Libanus which he hath planted;

17 Wherein the birds make their nests *
and the fir-trees are a dwelling for the stork.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats *
and so are the stony rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for certain seasons *
and the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness that it may be night *
wherein all the beasts of the forest do move.

21 The lions roaring after their prey *
do seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, and they get them away together *
and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth to his work, and to his labour *
until the evening.
24 O Lord, how manifold are thy works *
in wisdom hast thou made them all; the earth is full of thy riches.

25 So is the great and wide sea also *
wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan *
whom thou hast made to take his pastime therein.
27 These wait all upon thee *
that thou mayest give them meat in due season.
28 When thou givest it them they gather it *
and when thou openest thy hand they are filled with good.

29 When thou hidest thy face they are troubled *
when thou takest away their breath they die, and are turned again to their dust.
30 When thou lettest thy breath go forth they shall be made *
and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
31 The glorious Majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever *
the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32 The earth shall tremble at the look of him *
if he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke.

33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
34 And so shall my words please him *
my joy shall be in the Lord.
35 As for sinners, they shall be consumed out of the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end *
praise thou the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.

7 comments:

Sir Watkin said...

Crotch in G.

Notable as a rare example of a chant that begins with a first inversion chord.

bls said...

Thanks again - the tune is gorgeous, and complements this Psalm wonderfully, I think.

Sir Watkin said...

Glad to be of service!

bls said...

I'm sure we'll need your services again soon, so I hope you'll come back!

;-)

Anonymous said...

Is this Chant by Attwood?

Anonymous said...

Please I need to score of this chant

bls said...

This chant is listed on CPDL: https://www.cpdl.org/wiki/index.php/Double_chant_in_G_major_(William_Crotch)

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